Magnetostrictive Ultrasonic Scanner for Pipe Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional long-range guided wave pipeline inspection systems are complex and costly due to the need for segmented transducer collars, which limit axisymmetric loading and increase the number of channels and segments required, making it difficult to achieve efficient and cost-effective non-destructive inspection of pipes.
Innovation Solution
A magnetostrictive pulser collar and a partial loading magnetostrictive scanner receiver system that generates axisymmetric guided waves and detects reflections using ferromagnetic strips and a processor to produce high-quality A-scans and synthetic focusing scans, reducing the need for complex multi-channel electronics and segmented collars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If segmented transducer collars are used to enable focusing capability, then the ability to identify axial and circumferential location of reflectors is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transducer collar into multiple independent segments that can be individually activated. This segmentation enables selective activation of specific collar portions to focus ultrasonic energy at desired locations, achieving precise reflector identification while maintaining system flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of collar segments through independent activation and deactivation of different segments based on the required inspection location. This dynamic operation allows the system to adaptively focus energy at different axial and circumferential positions without requiring complete collar activation.
2Device complexity
If partial loading configuration is used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide axisymmetric loading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by activating specific collar segments only when required for the current inspection task. Rather than maintaining constant partial loading, the system dynamically adjusts which segments are active, providing axisymmetric loading only when needed while reducing complexity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the collar segments to serve multiple functions: they can be individually activated for focused inspection, collectively activated for axisymmetric loading, or selectively deactivated to reduce complexity. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware configuration to adapt to different inspection requirements.
3Measurement precision
If multi-channel phased array electronics are used to support segmented collars, then focusing capability is improved, but system cost and channel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential focusing function from the complex multi-channel phased array system by implementing selective segment activation. Instead of requiring full phased array electronics for all segments simultaneously, the system activates only the necessary segments for each inspection task, reducing the effective channel requirements while maintaining focusing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the minimum number of collar segments required for the current inspection need. Rather than utilizing all available channels and segments continuously, the system selectively engages only the portions necessary to achieve the desired focusing effect, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides efficient and cost-effective non-destructive inspection with improved resolution and reduced complexity, enabling the generation of high-quality images of anomalies in pipes without the need for extensive channel and segment configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetostrictive pulser collar and a partial loading magnetostrictive scanner receiver system that generates axisymmetric guided waves
Implementation Method 2
The scanner receiver probe includes a probe body, a magnetostrictive receiver coil
Data Source
AI summary
A system for non-destructive inspection of a structure includes a magnetostrictive pulser coil and a ferromagnetic strip. The ferromagnetic strip is coupled to the structure adjacent to the pulser coil. A scanner receiver probe is located adjacent to the ferromagnetic strip. The probe includes a probe body, a position encoder, and a magnetostrictive partial loading receiver coil. A magnet applies a biasing magnetic field to the ferromagnetic strip. A pulser system generates a time-varying current in the pulser coil to induce a time-varying magnetization in the ferromagnetic strip to generate guided wave energy in the structure. The probe detects reflected guided wave energy as the probe is moved around the circumference of the structure. A processor controls the pulser system, records guided wave reflections, and process the guided wave and probe position data to generate a one-dimensional image or a two-dimensional image of anomalies in said structure.